Businessman discusses business relations between U.S. and Mexico

Published 11:00 am, Monday, March 25, 2013

Pete Garcia shared his past experiences and business trends with Latin America and Mexico with members of the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce on March 19.

Pete Garcia shared his past experiences and business trends with Latin America and Mexico with members of the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce on March 19.

Businessman discusses business relations between U.S. and Mexico

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When Pete Garcia retired after working for Continental Airlines for 30 years, he first thought he would enjoy the time playing golf but there still some business left to do.

Garcia worked in the Latin American division of Continental for many years where they really began to renovate their fleets and build stronger business relationships with other countries.

He shared his past experiences and business trends with Latin America and Mexico with members of the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce on March 19.

“In the past 10 years, Houston was put on the map as an international gateway to Latin America replacing Miami. This has helped transform Bush Intercontinental Airport as well as Hobby Airport which will become an international airport as well in late 2014,” said Garcia.

According to Garcia, Mexico is currently Texas’ number one trading partner. In 2012, there was $497 billion worth of trading between Mexico and the U.S., $217 billion in exports to Mexico and $280 billion imports to the U.S. from Mexico.

This is five-fold growth from the imports and exports ten years ago.

“The U.S. said in the next ten years, they would like to double these amounts and they say they are on track to do so. They have even started a program which will allow for businesses in Mexico to get business visas much faster than in the past,” said Garcia.

Both countries have initiatives for small and medium sized businesses because they realize that is where the value and growth in moving trade agreements along is.

“This is not hurting American businesses since 40 percent of the products being exported from Mexico are made in the U.S. We send raw material and partially assembled parts to Mexico, they assemble them and then they are exported,” Garcia added. “This goes beyond a trade partnership; this is an alliance.”

Through the alliance, they hope to create more new jobs in Mexico and the U.S. Since United Airlines opened more international flights to cities in Mexico where they manufacture big products such as cars, it has opened up the market becoming a highway in the sky.

Garcia encourages anyone interested in international business to know at least a little bit about the culture they are doing business with and knowing what some of their customs.

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“It is all about creating that relationship with those you conduct business with. The more you understand the better the business relationship will be,” Garcia said.